Step back in time with dinner and a show at the new Brunswick Ballroom
Jane Rocca
Photo: Nicole Cleary
Melbourne s newest live music, cabaret and comedy venue, the Brunswick Ballroom, riffs on the glory of the 1990s, when a dinner-and-show package fulfilled our social needs (think the former Continental Cafe on Greville Street, Prahran).
Now in the hands of food and beverage director Tori Bicknell, this northside establishment, formerly known as the Spotted Mallard, cranks it up to 11, delivering the goods on a bed-truck of 70s and 80s-themed cuisine.
There are bread trolleys doing the rounds during your dinner and show, with club sandwiches and saganaki soaked in ouzo, a dish that riffs on the venue s Greek heritage. Nothing screams mid-show finger food like hot buffalo wings served with celery sticks and blue cheese sauce, or warm pretzels dosed in parmesan and fresh lemon. A reinvented witlof salad makes the perfect encore, washed down perhaps with cocktails including th
Brunswick Ballroom takes over the venue formerly known as Spotted Mallard.
The venue is run by Andrew Kay and Will Ewing with Melbourne Music Hall of Famer Mary Mihelakos looking after music bookings and Emma Calverley handling comedy events.
“After a year of doom, gloom and significant hardship for many in our live performance industry, we are thrilled to have been able create a dynamic new home for our performing artists and audiences to enjoy. The BRUNSWICK BALLROOM will be a venue which celebrates the best of live music, cabaret and comedy plus of course, wonderful food and wine. This distinctive venue will present the best Melbourne, Australia and the world has to offer across the full range of live performance genres. Whether it is a live band, a comedian, a classical pianist or a major cabaret star they will all find a new home at the BRUNSWICK BALLROOM,” said Andrew Kay.
We ve put together a list of 22 things that make you a Herefordian. Let us know in the comments if we ve missed any. 1. If something’s really good you say, it’s mazin’ or tidy. 2. You’ve hit at least one pot hole in the last week. 3. You have to utter the phrase: “No not near London, that’s Hertfordshire”, on a regular basis. 4. Ironically, despite living in a predominantly rural region, you’ve said something about the traffic in Hereford at least once today and it takes you 30 minutes to drive two miles across the city. And you can talk to a taxi driver for an hour without drawing breath on the reasons why Hereford needs a bypass.
A popular cafe has launched a unique festive feature. With Christmas less than three weeks away the Continental Cafe on Maldon High Street has launched outdoor winter igloos to make your Christmas treats even more festive. The cosy igloo is complete with heaters and blankets to keep your warm whilst you enjoy your meal. Each slot lasts for 1hr 45minutes and costs £5 per head when booking. The cafe, which is renowned for its freshly make cakes and treats, is hoping to keep the igloo until Apirl. Owner Mike Strong said: It s been a rollercoaster few months, it s been a struggle for independent businesses and the high street.